Kathleen Falk announces resignation date

Kathleen Falk announced today she'll resign as Dane County Executive on Dec. 21, allowing the election for her successor to be held next spring during the regular election cycle.

However, County Board chairman Scott McDonell says he will appoint her interim county executive, so she can serve until the election. This is what Falk had originally planned to do when she announced her resignation in October. However, state law prohibits an election being called until there is an actual vacancy. That would have meant a costly special election next summer.

"This accomplishes the goals I laid out when I made my initial announcement," Falk said of the new plan.

Under timeline, McDonell will immediately become interim executive when Falk resigns Dec. 21. His appointment of Falk will have to be confirmed by the full County Board at its Jan. 6 meeting.